I have been going around Mindanao and have had little time to be in front of the computer in the most comfortable blogging position (which I argue is absolutely necessary, as I’m sure some of you might agree)! Moreover, I have been struggling to get some music back into my system at late since the climate of my career has not been very flexible on that extent. Seriously, I make an effort! I try to steal time to listen to Smashing Pumpkin’s newest album entitled, Zeitgeist, their come-back album with a sound reminiscent of old goddamn school 90’s rock. If you’re a purist and you’re about to start dissing grunge, close this window right this instant!
Anyway.
It’s been an interesting month, thus far. And I can say the same thing about the previous month. I went to Cagayan to check out the music scene there and quite frankly, I was impressed. My heart bled over the fact that the Cagayan music scene seems more enthusiastic and more, shall I say, formidable compared to Davao’s. Not that I’m dissing our locals, no no. My point is, I wish the scene here would grow in terms of musical taste, and maybe even music support.
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Over the week I’ve sat in conversations with my bandmates on stuff like how the Davao underground music scene is doing. Sad to say, the shape sounds pretty bad. It isn’t like last summer, when there were prime spots as to where underground bands could play, i.e. the now d’funked G Rock bar and Mastul. Seeing as both establishments closed down already, with Moonstomp as the only place condusive to the kind of music indie bands play (consider how the place can’t sufficiently accomodate the whole lot of a local indie crowd - which is pretty immense, mind you), then problems still pose itself for bands who want to come up with a successful gig. And by successful, the pre-requisites are pretty simple: We invest time and money over band practices just to get exposure and if possible enough money to buy booze to last the rest of the night.
Going along the vision to come up with a successful gig in spite of scarce incentives as well as problems on actually finding a venue, Davao indie productions Don’t Record Records and Red hat are teaming up for an Octoberfest gig. I say kudos to that, realizing how it’s hard enough to keep indie bands from staying together because of the lack of avenues and more so, making sure that the integrity of the kind of music they play do not sway to the masses or for venues that require underground bands to turn a leaf for the showbandish just so they can get a gig (i.e. Taboan or even San Miguel).
Reality tells us that Davao may have all the musical talent it requires to warm up a mature music scene, but there isn’t enough production force to keep the scene intact.
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Listening to a lot of Jeff Buckley lately. Personally, my take on Jamie Cullum’s jazz cover of Buckley’s Lover, you should have come over is more on the no no. Nothing can beat Buckley when he makes the most heartbreaking ballads I’ve ever heard. If you can call it a ballad.
Narda’s out in Davao by the way. CDs are available in the nearest Oddysey record stores near you.
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More announcements! I have gig with my band Tramonto at Myx-a-tune (Juan Luna St.) 7-ish up this October 14. Please support!
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I almost forgot to mention about this new bar that opened up at McArthur Highway (right next to the old Petron gas station and in front of Ateneo high). It’s called Moonstomp and the place is very Mayrics-ish. I swear, I have found my Ibiza! It’s owned by one of the coolest people you notice around Davao city, if you get out enough.
Last night, they had party punk acts and some electronica. The only band whose name I caught was the one my friend Pink was with, Gravity 404. Loved their set (or at least half of it, because that was all I caught up with). In any case, it’s actually peculiar that I suddenly had the urge to text Jaenor (this guy who has been asking me to session for their band, who I’ve never met in my life) to ask if the offer was still up. And the next day he replied and told me that it was still open. The weirder part is, he was actually in Moonstomp the night I was there and he was with the band I just mentioned. Whoohoo. So at least I know I’m with the right people. (Smiles.) Can’t wait for Wednesday’s jam session.
I really want to start a shoegazer band, but I don’t think anyone’s in to that here. Which reminds me, I miss my bandmates! One’s in Cebu, another’s in US, and then another’s in Manila. Come on, give me a break kids. Davao’s the place to be at this point. We ought to warm up on the scene here.
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